iWork4Him PowerThought

WEEK OF BALANCE inspired from: iwork4him.com/podcast/2014/12/reaching-millennials

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." Life is full of seasons and activities. With so many things begging for our attention, how do we find balance? Dave Zillig from Equilibrium breaks it down into five core areas that must be healthy for our lives to truly thrive. The first of which is Faith… and there's a reason that Faith is first– because when it isn't, EVERYTHING else in life will be out of balance. Our number one priority – before marriage, family, or work - has to be Jesus or every area suffers. Matthew chapter 6 says, "But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." What are you seeking first? Take stock this week on where Jesus falls in your priorities, and then move him to the top!

What is the first question someone asks you after an introduction? I'd be willing to bet that 9 times out of 10 its "So… What do you do for work?" That question may feel fine and dandy when you are in a high-powered position or working your dream job – but for most people it's uncomfortable to be instantly framed by their employment OR lack of employment. We live in a society that equates our value with our job title. But the TRUTH is that your identity is NEVER going to be found in the things you do or how impressive your resume is. Psalm 139: 14 says, "I give thanks to you God because I am awesomely and wonderfully made; wonderful are your works." PAUSE. So remember, your value and identity are based on the fact that God designed, made, and loves you… just as you are!

inspired from - www.iwork4him.com/podcast/2017/5/business-for-his-glory

A guy named David Foster Wallace once said, "Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship." Now Wallace may have had a lot of things wrong, but he had this right… every day – you and me and every other person on this earth - worships something. We worship whatever it is that absorbs our heart, imagination, and mind to such an extent that it gains PRIORITY over everything else. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "So whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." PAUSE Everything that we do in our day to day lives can be an act of worship to God when He is our number one priority – even work! Would you say you're using your work to worship God? Or have you slipped into worshiping your work?

Have you ever tried to ignore God's direction in your work or career? Tried to follow your own plans and run into constant obstacles, closed doors, and un-ending rejections? The truth is that sometimes we try to LOGIC our way towards our calling instead of entrusting the creator of our calling with the journey to it. Remember the account of the Israelites in Exodus? It took them 40 YEARS of wandering to arrive at a destination that would have taken two weeks if they had simply obeyed God. So, the next time that you feel like God is leading you down a path that you don't want to go… pause before walking away. Try praying about it and asking several trusted friends for their prayers as well. God WANTS to show you the way forward – if you're paying attention, he will give you the next right step!

I recently heard the phrase "mental load" for the first time. If you aren't familiar with it, "mental load" is the largely invisible work of noticing and remembering. For example: I need to schedule a dental cleaning; we are out of lightbulbs; and my kid needs snacks for soccer practice. In other words, It's the running list of everyday responsibilities that tend to fall on women to remember and carry out. The issue of mental Load can be especially applicable for career women or women with a side hustle as they try to carry out their duties at home and work. So, what can you do when your mental load is out of control? The biggest thing is to name it, explain it, and ask for help. Next time you're exhausted, articulate your mental load and ask for help!

Do you ever feel like you are juggling 50 balls at once and sooner or later you are bound to drop one? Well, you're right, you probably will! So instead of trying to keep everything perfectly in the air, take the time to ask yourself which responsibilities are a RUBBER ball and which are a GLASS ball? What I mean by that is, what things could you drop that will bounce back and not be affected, and which would shatter or be irrevocably damaged? A guest on a recent podcast episode talked about identifying and prioritizing the glass balls of life – things like taking care of your marriage, your relationship with Jesus, your kids, and yourself… rather than getting caught up on things that can bounce back - like a promotion, a perfectly clean home, or keeping up with the Jones's. Which responsibilities in your life are glass, and which are rubber?

A company we love, and one you may have heard of, called Dayspring, helps direct their branding by asking the question, "what do we want people to walk away feeling after they've encountered a Dayspring product?" Do we want them to feel seen, loved, or encouraged? And what can we do to make customers want to return after an encounter with our products? These kinds of branding questions aren't just for companies! 2 Corinthians 5:20 says that, "we are Christ's ambassadors and God is making his appeal through us." In other words, we are Christ's BRAND ambassadors! Take a moment and ask yourself the question: how well am I representing God's brand at work? When people encounter me, do they walk away feeling seen, loved, and encouraged? Think of one thing you can do today that will make those around you want to return to Christ.

There is this great TV gameshow called "Wipeout" where contestants go through a ridiculous obstacle course that is designed for them to inevitably WIPEOUT and fall into the water below the course. Life sometimes can feel like the show Wipeout… riddled with challenges that will eventually make you fall on your face. And it's true, none of us are perfect and we're all going to make mistakes and fail, BUT the way that we handle those mistakes is what sets us apart as followers of Christ. Proverbs 24:16 says, "The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked." How do you respond to failure, missteps, and disasters? Do you get back with a renewed sense of determination and joy in Christ? Or do you let yourself become defined by your losses? Let God help you up today.

inspired from powerpod #54

Have you ever heard the 70s song, "Message in a Bottle"? The lyrics say, "Only hope can keep me together… I hope that someone gets my message in a bottle." Well – someone did! We recently got to hear the story of a man who is sharing the hope through a LITERAL message in a bottle. In John chapter 4, Jesus tells the woman at the well that to those who asks, he gives living water so they may never thirst again. This story inspired cyclist David Bailey to create what he calls "Living water bottles". David puts the Gospel of John into a water bottle and then hands them out to other cyclists on the road – Brilliant, right! Take a moment today to think about your own hobbies and activities. How can you bring a message of hope with you into those spaces?

inspired from: iwork4him.com/podcast/2020/4/trading-with-god

God formed Adam and Eve on the sixth day of creation… making their first full day in the Garden of Eden the Sabbath – a day of REST. God is gracious so He didn't start them out on a Monday … instead, God emphasized the importance and holiness of spending time in his presence FIRST, before the work week begins. He asks us to look to him FIRST. Rest in Him FIRST. And only then, after worshiping, resting, and praying, are we to be sent out to do the work that God has for us. The Sabbath is a GIFT. And when we don't treasure it, we don't honor God. Remember, Jesus was always busy but NEVER in a hurry. He always made time for people, for rest, and for prayer. So, what about you? Do you consider Monday to be the start of your week? Or Sunday… the day of Rest?